Duração do aleitamento materno total e características sociodemográficas e obstétricas de mulheres cadastradas em uma unidade de saúde da família de Itaqui/RS

Abstract

To evaluate the association between total breastfeeding duration and sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics in women enrolled in a primary health care unit in the city of Itaqui, RS. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 69 women enrolled in a primary health care unit, who answered a questionnaire containing information about sociodemographic and obstetrical characteristics. Total duration of breastfeeding was defined as the time in months the child received breastfeeding (exclusive, predominant or partial). We described the median duration of total breastfeeding and assessed the association between total breastfeeding duration and sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics. Results: The median duration of total breastfeeding was quite higher than seven months, not reaching the recommended by the Ministry of Health. Younger mothers breastfed their children for lower time, and 40% of them had already stopped breastfeeding. Women who had stopped breastfeeding presented lower breastfeeding duration when compared with those who were still breastfeeding by the time of study. The main cause of early weaning was lack of milk production milk. Conclusion: Our study showed that breastfeeding duration is lower than the recommended in this sample. Interventions are needed in order to guide mothers regarding breastfeeding advantages for their and their children health.